Meet the Team

Wake's owner and founder is me, Hannah-Jane. I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, where I fell in love with the natural beauty of the Lowcountry. Boating, sailing, and learning about local and global ecosystems have always been some of my favorite pastimes. That connection to nature has deeply influenced the way I live and the values that shape this business.

I studied International Studies with a focus on Latin America at the College of Charleston. During that time, I spent semesters abroad in Cuba, Chile and Argentina, where I focused on human rights memorials in Chile and Argentina. Alongside these studies, I also dove into the systems of global trade and waste trade; what I learned fundamentally shifted the way I think about consumerism. I came to understand how the things we buy, use, and throw "away" are connected to people and places far beyond our view, often at great cost. That knowledge lit a fire in me to find a better way.

This fire took me to Nashville and where I joined The Good Fill, a zero-waste business and environmental advocacy hub, that showed me what sustainable, community-centered retail could look like. I truly loved my time at The Good Fill, but always knew that Charleston is where I wanted to root. It was there that the idea for Wake Refill started to take shape: a business that pairs environmental care with compassion and education, serving the coastal home I love.

I didn’t build it alone. Wake’s co-founder (and my life partner!) is Grayson. We met in high school working at a beachside summer camp and started dating at the College of Charleston, where he studied Arts Management. Grayson brings strategy, steadiness, and a creative eye to Wake. 

Wake is 100% a family business. In addition to myself and Grayson you might meet my mom (Beth), sister (Kate) or our dog (Ghost) in the shop. Their's, as well as the support and enthusiasm of the rest of our friends and family, help to keep us going and we are so grateful for all that have joined us on this wave. 

For now, that's us! Thank you so much for making waves with our tiny team! And remember, everything we do creates a wake.